TheSociety of Composers & Lyricists is an organization founded in 1983 to representcomposers andlyricists working in visual media, such as television and film.[ 1] [ 2] It soughtunion status in 1984 after the dissolution of the Composers and Lyricists Guild of America, but theNational Labor Relations Board denied the bid on the basis that songwriters were independent contractors. Another attempt to become a union in the 1990s was also unsuccessful.[ 3] [ 4] Members of the organization also includeorchestrators ,arrangers ,music supervisors ,music agents , music attorneys, music editors,copyists , andaudio engineers .[ 5]
The Society of Composers & Lyricists operates three chapters outside of Los Angeles.
Location Year Founded Chairs Ref. New York, NY 2011 Greg Pliska [ 6] Nashville, TN 2022 Jay Weigel [ 7] Chicago, IL 2025 Tony Scott-Green [ 8]
Since 2020, the Society of Composers & Lyricists has presented annual awards for music in film, television, and other media.[ 9]
Since 2024, the organization presents awards in eight competitive categories:[ 2] [ 18]
Outstanding Original Score for a Studio Film [ edit ] Outstanding Original Score for an Independent Film [ edit ] Outstanding Original Score for a Television Production [ edit ] Outstanding Original Title Sequence for a Television Production [ edit ] Outstanding Original Song for a Dramatic or Documentary Visual Media Production [ edit ] Prior to 2022, a single award was given for Original Song in a Visual Media Production, irrespective of genre.
Outstanding Original Song for a Comedy or Musical Visual Media Production [ edit ] Prior to 2022, a single award was given for Original Song in a Visual Media Production, irrespective of genre.
Outstanding Original Score for Interactive Media [ edit ] David Raksin Award for Emerging Talent [ edit ] Spirit of Collaboration Award [ edit ] In addition, the group presents the non-competitive Spirit of Collaboration Award to a composer and filmmaker team.[ 22]
^ "Mission and History" . Society of Composers & Lyricists. RetrievedJanuary 14, 2022 .^a b Pond, Steve (January 4, 2022)."Nicholas Britell, Diane Warren Lead Noms for Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards" .TheWrap . RetrievedJanuary 14, 2022 . ^ Eicke, Stephan (2019).The Struggle Behind the Soundtrack: Inside the Discordant New World of Film Scoring .McFarland . pp. 198– 199.ISBN 9781476637006 . ^ Verrier, Richard (November 18, 2009)."Composers, lyricists make a union pitch" .Los Angeles Times . RetrievedJanuary 14, 2022 . ^ Newman, Melinda (January 8, 2020)." 'Joker' Composer Hildur Gudnadóttir Scores Big at Inaugural Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards" .Billboard . RetrievedJanuary 14, 2022 . ^ "New York Chapter" .Society of Composers & Lyricists . Retrieved2025-07-16 .^ "Nashville Chapter" .Society of Composers & Lyricists . Retrieved2025-07-16 .^ "Chicago Chapter" .Society of Composers & Lyricists . Retrieved2025-07-16 .^ Willman, Chris (December 3, 2019)."Society of Composers & Lyricists Announces Nominees for Inaugural Film/TV Awards" .Variety . RetrievedJanuary 14, 2022 . ^ Burlingame, Jon (January 8, 2020)."Women Win Big at Inaugural Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards" .Variety . RetrievedJanuary 14, 2022 . ^ Burlingame, Jon (March 2, 2021)." 'Soul,' 'Blizzard of Souls' Scores and 'Eurovision' Song Win Top Awards From Society of Composers and Lyricists" .Variety . RetrievedJanuary 14, 2022 . ^ Pedersen, Erik (January 13, 2022)."Society of Composers & Lyricists' SCL Awards Rescheduled For March – Update" .Deadline Hollywood . RetrievedJanuary 14, 2022 . ^ Tapp, Tom (March 8, 2022)."Billie Eilish, Finneas O'Connell, Ariana Grande Top Society Of Composers & Lyricists' Awards – Full Winners List" .Deadline Hollywood . RetrievedMarch 9, 2022 . ^a b c d e f g h i Anderson, Erik (16 February 2023)."4th Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL) winners: 'Nope,' 'Everything Everywhere All At Once,' 'The White Lotus' " .AwardsWatch . Retrieved17 February 2023 . ^a b c d e f g h i j Pedersen, Erik (February 13, 2024)."SCL Awards: Music From 'Oppenheimer' & 'Barbie' Among Society Of Composers & Lyricists Winners" .Deadline . RetrievedFebruary 14, 2024 . ^ Pedersen, Erik (December 18, 2024)."Society Of Composers & Lyricists Cues Up 2025 SCL Awards Nominations" .Deadline . RetrievedDecember 18, 2024 . ^a b c d e f g h i j Pedersen, Erik (February 12, 2025)."SCL Awards: 'Wild Robot' & 'The Brutalist' Take Top Film Prizes; Two For Atticus Ross; Diane Warren Wins – Full List" .Deadline . RetrievedFebruary 13, 2025 . ^ "The SCL Awards" . Society of Composers & Lyricists. RetrievedJanuary 14, 2022 .^a b c d e f Anderson, Erik (January 8, 2020)."Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL) Awards: Hildur Guðnadóttir a double winner for 'Joker,' 'Chernobyl' " .AwardsWatch . RetrievedMarch 9, 2022 . ^a b c d e f Anderson, Erik (March 3, 2021)." 'Soul,' "Husavik" are Society of Composers and Lyricists winners" .AwardsWatch . RetrievedMarch 9, 2022 . ^a b c d e f g h Anderson, Erik (March 9, 2022)."Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL) winners: 'Encanto,' Billie Eilish and 'The White Lotus' " .AwardsWatch . RetrievedMarch 9, 2022 . ^ Vlessing, Etan (February 1, 2021)."Spike Lee, Terence Blanchard to Receive Collaboration Honor at Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards" .The Hollywood Reporter . RetrievedJanuary 14, 2022 .